Illinois State University seeks a general contractor to serve as the single-prime project coordinator for its South Campus housing and dining project. The contractor will provide the labor, equipment, materials and services needed to construct a residence hall and dining facility, including associated site development, utilities and infrastructure improvements. The general contractor is expected to subcontract other subdivisions of work, with base-bid and alternate requirements detailed in the drawings and specifications.
Selective demolition of existing laboratory and support spaces- construction of a new laboratory layout consisting of laboratory processing, phlebotomy, check-in/workstation, microbiology, storage, office, and support areas- installation of new partitions, doors, ceilings, casework, countertops, flooring, finishes, and specialty healthcare accessories- and modification of plumbing, HVAC, fire protection, electrical, data, nurse call, and building automation systems. The project is intended to modernize laboratory operations, improve workflow and functionality, replace aging building systems, and provide an updated environment that better supports Student Health Services staff and patients within the existing facility footprint.
Selective demolition of existing laboratory and support spaces- construction of a new laboratory layout consisting of laboratory processing, phlebotomy, check-in/workstation, microbiology, storage, office, and support areas- installation of new partitions, doors, ceilings, casework, countertops, flooring, finishes, and specialty healthcare accessories- and modification of plumbing, HVAC, fire protection, electrical, data, nurse call, and building automation systems. The project is intended to modernize laboratory operations, improve workflow and functionality, replace aging building systems, and provide an updated environment that better supports Student Health Services staff and patients within the existing facility footprint.
Buyer Attributes
Key metrics and characteristics
City
The city where this buyer is located.
Normal
Enrollment
Total student enrollment.
21,546
IPEDS ID
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System identifier.
145813
Mascot
University or college mascot.
Redbirds
Employee FTE
Full-time equivalent employees.
3,368.3
Grad Rate
Graduation rate percentage.
65%
Procurement Hell Score
How easy their procurement process is to navigate. Lower is better.
55 / 100
Propensity to Spend
How likely this buyer is to spend on new technology based on operating budget trends.
CautiousAggressive
Higher is better Unlock
AI Adoption Score
How likely this buyer is to adopt new AI technologies.
ConservativeEarly Adopter
Higher is better Unlock
Startup Friendliness
How often this buyer champions startups and early adoption.
Sole Source:If sale is less than $100,000, use sole source.
Coops:Frequently procures through IPHEC and Sourcewell; you can gain access through the Starbridge reseller & contract-vehicle platform — reach out to your Starbridge contact to pursue onboarding.
Agency-specific vendor registration, compliance steps, and approval routing shape the purchasing timeline.
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Illinois State University, IL can pursue sole source when the product is proprietary technology, specialized research equipment, or a unique service essential for a grant-funded project. Work directly with the department to build justification based on vendor exclusivity or continuity of research. For contracts over $100,000, a 14-day public advertisement on the Illinois Higher Education Procurement Bulletin is required, along with review by the Procurement Policy Board and the Commission on Equity & Inclusion.
Agency-specific vendor registration, compliance steps, and approval routing shape the purchasing timeline.
Unlock detailed thresholds, contracting paths, payment terms, and vendor benchmarks for this buyer.
ISU has used cooperative purchasing to streamline buys and bypass standard quotes on larger purchases (coordinate with Purchasing for applicability). Reach out to your Starbridge contact through the Starbridge reseller & contract-vehicle platform to gain access to the recommended path.
Recommended (accessible through Starbridge):
Agency-specific vendor registration, compliance steps, and approval routing shape the purchasing timeline.
Unlock detailed thresholds, contracting paths, payment terms, and vendor benchmarks for this buyer.
Full playbooks include agency-specific workflows, thresholds, and vendor benchmarks.
Illinois State University Contracts
Track vendor wins and renewal opportunities
Follett Higher Education Group, LLC at Illinois State University
Effective: Jun 1, 2023Expires: Sep 30, 2026Expiration date locked.
This Bookstore Operating Agreement, effective June 1, 2023, for ten years, details Follett Higher Education Group, LLC's operation of campus bookstores for Illinois State University. Key provisions include Follett's initial investments in store improvements and systems ($215,000 and $78,000, respectively), annual scholarship contributions ($5,000), operational responsibilities, pricing policies, and commission payments to the University based on sales. Additionally, Follett will make one-time payments to the University for system integrations ($20,000, $30,000, $25,000, $425,000). The agreement also covers terms for early termination, rights upon termination, personnel, stock management, insurance, indemnification, and various legal and operational certifications.
Follett Corporation Follett Higher Education Group at Illinois State University
Effective: Jan 17, 2023Expires: Sep 30, 2026Expiration date locked.
This document details Purchase Order B0236328 from Illinois State University's Athletics Department to Follett Higher Education Group for Spring 2023 Student Athlete Textbooks. The contract is effective from January 17, 2023, to June 30, 2023, with a total amount of $43,000.00. The purchase order consolidates the textbook acquisition into a single amount, supported by an underlying detailed book list and email correspondence confirming the quoted total.
FOLLETT HIGHER EDUCATION, INC at Illinois State University
Effective: Jul 1, 2023Expires: Sep 30, 2026Expiration date locked.
This document outlines a credit account agreement between Follett Higher Education Inc. and the Board of Trustees of Illinois State University for the 'ISU TCH ECFP grant'. The agreement facilitates purchases of textbooks for the Early Childhood Faculty Preparation Grant, with a purchasing period from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. It establishes an overall account charge limit of $19,750, details tax exemption, payment terms, and incorporates various standard terms and conditions including those related to purchase orders, confidentiality, and compliance.
Anthology Inc of NY at Illinois State University
Effective: Jan 1, 2025Expires: Sep 30, 2026Expiration date locked.
This contract outlines the agreement between Illinois State University and Anthology Inc. of NY for the provision of 'CAST Student Evals' software and related services. The agreement, encompassing an Order Form, Master Agreement, and a University-specific Addendum, has an effective start date of January 1, 2025, and an initial term for the core service extending until December 31, 2027. The total cost for this initial period is $46,355.64. The University Addendum modifies standard vendor terms, overriding automatic renewals and requiring new purchase orders for any extensions, with a maximum contract duration of 10 years including all renewals. The document also details comprehensive terms and conditions covering data processing, service levels, fees, and legal compliance.
Ellucian Company LLC at Illinois State University
Effective: Feb 20, 2025Expires: Sep 30, 2026Expiration date locked.
This Ellucian Global Support On Demand Support Order Form amends an existing agreement between Ellucian Company LLC and The Board of Trustees of Illinois State University. It outlines professional services for Colleague On Demand Retainer and Support, providing an estimated 'Quote Total' of USD 500.00. This total is a good faith estimate and subject to change based on actual service hours. Services are billed monthly on an as-incurred basis, with hourly rates fixed for 30 days from the execution date. The agreement was approved by the client on February 20, 2025.
Early Buyer Signals
Board meetings and strategic plans from Illinois State University
Illinois State University Academic Plan 2026-2031
Date: Jan 1, 2026Type: Strategic Plan
This Academic Plan for Illinois State University outlines near-term academic initiatives and reports on program changes. It aligns with the university's overarching strategic plan, 'Excellence by Design: 2024-2030,' which focuses on four key directions: cultivating a culture of success and belonging, fostering responsible stewardship, elevating institutional excellence, and expanding mutually beneficial partnerships. The plan details strategies for academic program support and growth, graduate education, research and creative scholarship, and enhancing support for faculty, staff, and students, all aimed at continuous improvement and institutional effectiveness.
Board of Trustees of Illinois State University Resolution
Date: May 8, 2026Type: Meeting mention
The Board of Trustees authorized expenditures for design and construction services for a new STEM building. The project addresses the aging infrastructure of the existing Felmley Science Annex and aims to increase laboratory teaching capacity for several departments, including nursing and engineering. The board approved a project budget not to exceed $49,549,751, supported by a combination of state funding from the Capital Development Board and university-issued debt to be repaid through academic enhancement fees.
Key Contacts
Public-sector contacts connected to Illinois State University.
Board of Trustees of Illinois State University Board Meeting Agenda
Date: May 8, 2026Type: Meeting mention
The board meeting agenda includes authorizations for various operational needs such as FY2027 spending, the renewal of academic software licenses, and IT hardware and software maintenance purchases. Additional business involves the approval of constitutional amendments, new degree programs, and the authorization of campus development projects, including a master plan update, facility upgrades for performing arts, and design and construction services for a new greenhouse, a science laboratory annex, and a STEM building. The session concludes with the recognition of a student trustee and a closed session for further deliberations.
Extracted from official board minutes, strategic plans, and video transcripts.
Meeting signals
Know what buyers discuss before RFPs drop
Track Illinois State University meetings, strategic plans, and budget discussions before the public bid appears.
